Manilla-based International Container Terminal Services has ordered two new Liebherr LHM 400 mobile harbour cranes to provide specialised over the quay container handling capability at its new Tartous container terminal concession in Syria.

The two new mobiles are the first cranes to be ordered for such duty in Syria, where container handling has traditionally been undertaken by geared vessels.

The two new cranes, scheduled for delivery in July, will both feature a 41 tonne lifting capacity under the spreader and the ability to serve panamax dimension vessels with up to 13 rows of containers on deck. Their arrival is intended to facilitate the terminal's start-up phase.

ICTSI signed a 10-year concession to operate the Tartous container terminal at the end of November. Operations are expected to commence later this month and the two mobile harbour cranes will be used by the Tartous International Container Terminal (TICT) prior to the arrival of two ship-to-shore gantries. These are expected to be ordered directly by the Tartous General Port Company (TGPC) and are scheduled for delivery in 2008.

TICT is situated on the North Quay, Pier B, in the port of Tartous and has a 540m quay and 250,000 square metre back-up area. ICTSI plans to invest approximately $39m in the new container terminal over the lifetime of the concession.

In addition to the two new Liebherr LHM 400 mobiles, investments are also now under way in terminal superstructure, landside container handling equipment, a container terminal management system incorporating user friendly client interfaces, and in human resources and training. Further investments will take place in line with traffic development, ICTSI states.

The port of Tartous is the first port in Syria to introduce foreign expertise into its container handling operations, and has done so at a time when many analysts are forecasting sustained strong growth in container handling operations in Syria and the region as a whole.

Many carriers are interested in setting up direct services to this part of the Mediterranean, from the Far East and Europe, ICTSI suggests.